America is known globally as the home of elephant-class SUVs like the Chevy Tahoe and Suburban.  Yet, Buick had a surprise hit with its compact crossover, the Encore.  A clone of the Opel Mokka, it offered the footprint and fuel economy of a European city car with proper American seating proportions.  Sensing a great opportunity, Chevrolet reached to Asia and imports the similar Chevy Trax.

While Trax seems like a smaller Equinox crossover, its city car proportions look more like a tall Chevy Sonic…which, it is essentially.  Cute-ute style is muscled up with beefy wheel haunches, lower black body cladding, foglamps, roof rails, and 16” alloy wheels.  Chrome door handles and body color mirrors lend an upscale aura.  From the cross-bar grille to tailgate, it’s obviously of the Chevy family.

Designers took much of what I like in the Sonic — digital speedometer, large analog tachometer, and African mask motif for the center control stack — and fortified convenience with fifteen storage bins, two-tier glovebox, USB port, and 60/40 split/fold rear seat.  Items up to eight feet long fit from dash to gate.  Keyless entry comes standard; remote start is optional.  Safety is enhanced with a standard rear-vision camera, rear park assist, lane keep assist, and forward collision warning.

But, here’s what owners are really going to like:  Simple controls, large touchscreen, and stylish interior.  Sure, much of the doors and dash are hard plastic, but they look nice and are easy to wash free of baby snot and fast food grease. Cloth seats are not fancy, but are supportive and comfortable.  The touchscreen lacks knobs for tuning and volume (bummer), as well as a CD player, but is easy to understand.  Download the BringGo smart phone app to access navigation through the screen.  Pandora, iHeart Radio, and TuneIn global radio can all be accessed with the right apps.  Also check the boxes for Siri Eyes Free and OnStar’s 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot.

As with the baby Buick, Trax shares its 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and six-speed automatic transmission with the Sonic.  Under the crossover’s snub nose, the engine delivers 138 horsepower, 148 lb.-ft. of torque, and 26/34-MPG city/hwy.  All-wheel-drive is optional and optioned on our vehicle.  Given Trax’ boxy proportions and AWD, fuel economy is reasonable – even if it won’t cause environmentalists to pray at its altar. Performance enthusiasts will swear because the car isn’t especially quick, although it won’t cause panic entering freeways either.

There’s nothing sophisticated about the chassis, but it feels solid and meets the need.  An independent front and torsion beam rear suspension work well, but an independent set-up in the rear would improve handling — especially over rough pavement.  Electric power steering feels numb, but maximizes fuel economy.

Many of us live in cities and either don’t need or don’t want a giant sun shade of an SUV to park and feed.  Given that, the Trax’ size, economy, and flexible interior are ideal.  It also looks pretty good and feels well-built.  I just imagine how fun an RS version would be with a lowered suspension, stiffer shocks, and about 200 horsepower.  Even in the city, that would help Chevrolet make Trax.

A base price of $20,995, or $25,315 as tested, keeps the baby Chevy crossover competitive with the Jeep Renegade, Nissan Juke, Fiat 500X, Subaru XV Crosstrek, Mini Countryman, and upcoming Honda HR-V.

Storm Forward!

2015 Chevrolet Trax LT
Five-passenger, AWD Crossover
Powertrain: 138hp 1.4-liter Turbo-4, 6-speed automatic trans
Suspension f/r: Ind/Torsion beam
Wheels: 16”/16” alloy f/r
Brakes: disc/drum fr/rr
Must-have features: Style, Efficiency
Fuel economy: 26/34 mpg city/hwy
Assembly: Bupyeong, Korea
Base/as-tested price: $20,995/25,315